Jerry Manuel Out As Mets Manager, Omar Minaya Out As GM

It's now official: The Mets have announced that Jerry Manuel won't return as Mets manager next year, and that Omar Minaya has been relieved of his duties as executive vice-president of baseball operations and general manager. Said COO Jeff Wilpon in a statement: "We are extremely disappointed in this year's results and the failures of the past four seasons," adding, "We appreciate all that Omar and Jerry have done for the Organization and thank them for their time and effort." Ownership will first search for a new general manager, and said general manager will then work with ownership to identify a new manager. By the way, the last game of the Minaya/Manuel Era? A 2–1, fourteen-inning loss to last-place Washington, in which Oliver Perez hit a batter and then walked three more to plate the go-ahead run. A fitting end indeed. [Official site]